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Billy Duffy from iconic British rocker band The Cult recently sat down for an extensive interview with MusicRadar to talk about his band’s upcoming album – Choice of Weapon – his relationship with singer Ian Astbury and, of course, his love of the Gretsch White Falcon.

But Duffy also caused a stir when he hinted that he and Gretsch are developing a signature model of his favorite guitar.

“You know, I’m not a hoarder of guitars. I’ve got a few Gretsches, and they’re all good, working guitars,” Duffy said. ”I don’t use them all the time, but I use them when I can. It’s a pretty big thing, you know, the Gretsch – it’s heavy.

“And we’re working on a signature model, too, so that’ll be something nice to look forward to.”

Duffy admitted that he had eyed Gretsch products for a long time, and once he had the capital to purchase one, there was no questioning what direction he was going.

“The Gretsch thing was just a search for a different sound, something unique. And what brought it into focus was when I went to see Bow Wow Wow. I kind of knew those guys a little bit, but seeing Matthew Ashman with that Gretsch… I was transfixed. I said, ‘If I get any money, I’m buying a Gretsch.’

“Soon after, I got in the band Theatre Of Hate, and ironically, the singer played a Gretsch. He had an odd-green model, with the pickup by the neck – it was great.

“He asked me one day what kind of guitar I was going to play, and I said, ‘Well, I’ve got a job now, don’t I? I’m buying a Gretsch!’ Took all my money and got the double cutaway.”

With a new album - Choice of Weapon - due out May 22, The Cult will make its 2012 concert debut at the South By Southwest Music Festival next month, headlining Austin’s Auditorium Shores Stage on Saturday, March 17.

The appearance will be free and open to the public, and it starts at 8 p.m.

“SXSW is thrilled that The Cult is returning to play our biggest stage at Auditorium Shores,” Festival Producer Darin Klein said in a statement. “We’re excited to hear their new tunes and their classic hits. The show is free and open to the public, so everyone in Austin should get fired up for a great night of music.”

Choice is The Cult’s first new studio album in five years. Written by founding members Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar), the effort has been said to reveal the band in its rawest state.

“What we do with The Cult is try and let the songs become who they are. It’s like school children, you try and give them good guidance, but they’re going to end up doing what they want to do. In the end, you have to just relinquish power,” Duffy told Noisecreep. ”You want to capture a feel and document the era when you wrote them. You don’t want to overdo it, or you end up with something like ‘Chinese Democracy.’ You know what I mean?”

Future tour dates will be announced on The Cult’s official website, but for now, fans can download the new track “Lucifer” here.